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Arab
Street
This is a great place to buy fabrics of all kinds, specially
fine silk. Many textile stores offer tailoring.
The area is
very busy during Ramadan (October, November) the fasting month.
Look out for an "Aladdin's lamp" at Art Emporium or get a custom-made
perfume or natural essential oils from Egypt |
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Chinatown
Dating back to 1819 this area southwest of the Singapore
River had a facelift but many shop houses still boast the
original features. There is a night market with 200 stalls
selling arts and crafts, fashion and antiques.
As everywhere
in Singapore the shopkeepers speak good English. Chinatown
is best visited when the Lunar New Year is celebrated (January
or February) but it is also full of life during the Mid-Autumn
Festival or during the Hindu festivals of Deepavali and Thimithi
(October).
In Pagoda Street Bee Cheng Hiang is most popular
for its exotic foods, whereas Si Hua in Temple Street sells
cooking utensils and even supplies hotels. The best selection
of jade and gems is at Li Hong in Smith Street and - what
a contrast - SNG Arms in Trengganu Street is the place to
go for camping and outdoor equipment and second hand military
items. Chinatown has it all, from antique shops and art galleries
to traditional pharmacies and jewelry. A must: the Singapore
Handicraft Centre at New Bridge Road (shops open around 11
am). |
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Dempsey Road
The former army warehouses have been successfully transformed
into a number of shops selling artifacts, Chinese furniture,
teak indoor and outdoor furniture, antiques, carpets and
art galleries.
Dempsey Hill and Dempsey Hill Green (former Civil Service Club) provide a variety of food outlets, a spa, a children's entertainment center and a party venue for children and two spas.
A third lifestyle cluster called 6ix and 7even @ Dempsey, comprising 11 units for restaurants, bars and a bicycle boutique are in the planning stage. Note: some originally located furniture shops moved out of Dempsey Road. |
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Geylang Serai and Katong
The oldest Malay settlement in Singapore is still the centre
of Malay culture. Visit the Hari Raya Bazaar during Hari Raya
festival (Ramadan) or the wet market (under renovation at the
moment).
Typical buys are traditional Malay costumes such as
the baju kurong or the sarong kabaya. In Geylang Serai Market
you should visit Siti Nor Traditional's for traditional medicines
- jamus - such as powders made of flowers or the Joo Chiat
Complex for traditional Malay wedding accessories as gifts.
Katong is the former settlement of the Straits Chinese named
Peranakans. Their history is best reflected in their ornate
shop houses and in antique shops such as Katong Antique House,
David Antiques and Guan Antiques. |
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Holland Village
The trendy Holland Village is currently suffering from the construction of the MRT station and traffic is worse than ever. Parking is difficult, so you better come buy bus or taxi. alternatively you park at the HDB park houses (just follow the signs).
The ever famous Holland Shopping Center
and the Holland V Shopping Mall are catering for the large
expatriate crowd and you find everything from gift shops
to food and beauty services. Jalan Merah Saga has some very
good restaurants, gourmet shops and a popular pet shop. |
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Little
India MRT Little India
Bordering Kampong Glam the Indian district along Serangoon
Road and Lavender Street features some nice conserved
shop houses with their typically covered five-foot ways.
Fortune tellers, palm-readers, spice grinders and garland
makers are working here. The Tekka Centre, Haniffa Textiles
of Mustafa's (24 hrs!) sell everything for competitive
prices with silk, synthetics, jewelry, antiques and furniture
dominating the shops. Best visited at Deepavali (October/
November). |
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Orchard Road
Many of Singapore's over 250 malls are located on Orchard
Road, Scotts Road, Tanglin Road.
If the hot weather is too
much to bear walk from shop to shop in air- conditioned cool
underground alleys or hide there when a thunderstorm rocks
the pavement above. |
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Suntec City
Suntec City, Millenia Walk and Marina Square will keep you busy shopping for days. There is a Carrefour in Suntec City, a Giant Supermarket in Marina Square.
Harvey Norman's flagship store for electronic, electrical appliances and furniture in Millenia Walk. Suntec City Mall is Singapore's largest shopping and entertainment centre with 888,000 square feet divided into four thematic zones. |
